Hodgson praises his side after United defeat

(GSM) – Fulham boss Roy Hodgson praised his side following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. Hodgson was happy with the effort and conceded that his side was no match for the reigning Barclays Premier League champions.

The Cottagers did well to keep the champions from scoring in the first-half, but an early goal in the second half saw United dominate the rest of the match. However, Hodgson is happy with his side’s performance despite the defeat.

“I thought the first half, from our point of view, was really quite good,” he told Sky Sports. “I thought we passed the ball well.

“But all of our good work was let down within a minute of the second half when we conceded a goal.

“From that moment the game was always going to be difficult.”

Fulham were forced to a substitution when Brede Hangeland was taken off with sore ribs from a challenge earlier in the game.

“It was touch and go in the first half when Hangeland suffered a knock,” said Hodgson.

“That forced us into a change and made what was always going to be a difficult task of getting a result even more difficult.”

He added, “I am a bit disappointed that we conceded three goals when the boys had played so well in the first half.

“One has to hold their hands up though. We were beaten by a better team.

“I can’t really ask any more from the team than they gave today.”